Authors note- There are some references to Norse Mythology. If you don't know the tale of Loki's punishment you can look it up and some of this might make mores sense. I apologize for skipping between Avenger and Norse mythology. Other than that the charters belong to Marvel and the vikings. Enjoy. Don't forget reviews feed the starving writer!

Pride

"You've come a long way, what are you looking for?" Tony approached Loki who had appeared in his tower again. Loki only smiled. "Trickster what is your game?" Tony demanded.

"I've come for you." Loki spoke. His voice made Starks heart skip a beat, no it must have been the arc reactor.

"So it's revenge your after."

"Something like that." Loki's mischievous smile annoyed Tony.

"And what if I deny you this revenge."

"I do not think that would be wise of you."

"Well I'm not known for my wisdom. In fact recklessness quite often demolishes any thoughts of wisdom." Tony stroked his goatee.

"That is what will be your downfall." Loki smirked.

"Now I'm being given advice on success from the defeated." Tony rolled his eyes. Then he got more serious. "Tell me how did it feel to be drug back to Asgard in chains?" Tony stood now right in front of Loki wearing the grin of a child who just outsmarted an adult. Loki looked down and didn't respond. Tony persisted. "What's wrong reindeer games? Silver tung turn to lead?" Tony's smile grew wider at his own joke. Loki stepped closer looking Tony in the eye. Then with one quick swipe of his hand Loki slapped Tony hard. Stark went flying across the room. He hit the opposite wall hard and crumpled to the ground with a moan of pain.

"You forget I am a god. You should not provoke my anger." Tony's vision was going fast. He was blacking out. He shook his head in an effort to stay awake but it did no good. The last thing Stark remembered was Loki's laughter.

Tony awoke to complete darkness. For a second he stared in to it hoping to find something but there was nothing. He tried to sit up. Restraints kept him locked to the hard sheet of rock that he was laying on. His whole body was secure. Straps bound his chest, arms, and legs. He could move his head and wiggle his fingers but that was it.

"I was tempted to put a poisonous snake over you like they did to me in Asgard." Loki's voice came out of no were. Tony twisted wildly trying to find Loki in the darkness. "Let its venom drip on you for eternity. Leave you to writhe with unending pain." His voice continued.

"Why didn't you?" Tony was trying to keep Loki talking so he could locate him but the gods voice seemed to come from the very walls.

"I don't what to mess up that pretty face of yours."

"You think I'm good looking?" Tony smirked. Even gods had to recognize his looks.

"I need the world to be able to see as Tony Stark you when you destroy it."

"Now why would I do that?"

"I don't know you tell me. I've thought of a few methods but I'd like to hear what you think. What will brake the man of iron?"

"You first big boy." Tony stilled himself waiting for the god to move and give himself away. After a moment of consideration Loki answered.

"I've found hunger can be very effective. Endangering loved ones isn't really my style but I could do it. Promises of pain perhaps?"

"A promise from the god of lies? That sounds... promising."

"Or how about your life?" Suddenly the room was no longer dark. Light filled the cave they were in but Tony only vegly registered his surroundings because the trickster was right on top of him. Loki was straddling Tony as he leaned over Tony's chest staring intently at the arc reactor.

"No." The whisper escaped Tony's mouth before he had time to swallow it. Loki looked up a him a smile of pure mischief played across his lips.

"What would happen if I just decided to take this out?" Loki slowly drug his nail along Tony's shirt ripping it open.

"You wouldn't get the revenge you hoped for." Tony sensed he had to talk fast or he might never talk again. This made Loki pause for a second. Tony's shirt parted and revealed the arc reactor. He ran his hands gently around the area where metal met skin. Shivers ran through Tony's body and he barely suppressed a moan. But it did no good. Loki felt the shivers pass through Tony's body. He looked up frowning, puzzled, then went back to his inspection.

"So if I take this out you will die?"

"Most definitely."

"I don't trust you." Loki smirked.

"Your the trickster not me." Tony would have held his hands up in a jester of innocents but he was bound to the rock. Loki again put his hands over Tony's heart.

The cave glowed green as Loki's magic explored Tony's insides. Tony could feel it like ice creeping in to his heart. He shivered again, this time from the cold. Loki's eyes were concentrate on Tony's heart so he took this moment to study the god of mischief. As Loki's power was focus on Tony, Loki's appearance started to change.

His skin tone was turning blue, lines becoming sharper, Eye's turning from green to red. Also scars. Scars that looked like the were made from burring acid. Deep red and black etched it's way across the blue face. Was this from the snake venom that Loki had mentioned? What did they do to him in Asgard?

"You tell the truth." Loki's words shook Tony back from his thoughts. "There is a force trying to make its way to your heart."

"It's a shrapnel." Tony said matter-of-factly. Loki's complexion had returned to normal and the scars were gone. "Every moment it's trying to claw it's way in to my heart. The arc reactor keeps it from doing that."

"How did you ever acquire such a rare... condition?"

"I'll tell you if you tell me where those scars came from." Tony looked him dead in the eye letting Loki know he was serious. Loki's face darkened and he sat up straighter.

"It's a long story." He looked past Stark not meeting his eyes.

"So is mine."